May 3, 2012 - Morning Headlines

- Chinese political activist Chen Guangcheng now claims that leaving the safety of the U.S. Embassy was a mistake, and he wants to come to the United States (CNN): http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/03/world/asia/china-clinton-visit/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

- Newt Gingrich officially suspends his campaign. The now former candidate's campaign is now nearly $4 million in debt (Fox News): http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/05/02/gingrich-officially-suspends-campaign/?test=latestnews

- Osama bin Laden's final last words and other key Al Qaeda documents will be published online today (Yahoo!): http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/bin-laden-last-words-posted-online-090737298.html

Joe The Plumber Runs For Congress

Remember Joe the Plumber? In case you don't, his name is Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, and he became a household (and campaign-wide name) in 2008 when he bravely asked then-candidate Barack Obama about his tax plan. See the Youtube clip here: 

Here we are in 2012, and Joe the Plumber is running for Congress representing Ohio's 9th district. I don't know him personally, but I admire his determination. To me, running for Congress says, "I want to change something, and bygone it, I'm going to do it." 

To check out Joe the Plumber's campaign site, visit http://www.joeforcongress2012.org/

Additionally, here is an open letter written to President Obama by Joe the Plumber titled "Forward?" - http://www.joeforcongress2012.org/forward

Obama's Speech Transcript From Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

Did you watch President Obama's speech last night? If not, here is the transcript from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/01/politics/obama-afghanistan-speech/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Speech Overview: President Obama announced that he signed an agreement with the Afghan government to remove combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014, and to have a continuing military presence there until 2024. The speech lasted approximately ten minutes and highlighted a staggered troop withdrawal to be executed over the next 2½ years. For the most part, I agree with the President on this. There is one main area of concern that I have. In the speech, President Obama said: